Moores Pond Beach Committee DRAFT Minutes for Meeting
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 6:00 pm, Moores Pond Beach
- Chair Michaels called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Present members: J. Barber, P. Bellemare, A. Carman, M. Connelly, D. Ellis, K. Farley, J. Haskell, C. Michaels. Absent members: K. Tuttle-Connelly.
- The draft minutes of the August 8, 2023, meeting were reviewed and approved.
- Treasurer Tuttle-Connelly was absent, however Connelly reported no change in the balance of $1005.71, and collected receipts from members and collected the Corregatta donations.
- Water Tester Pat Bellemare reported the August and September water tests were excellent, concluding our five tests for the season, and the Committee approved the summary. Bellemare reported that the Town had paid for only one (May) of the five tests thus far, and that she and Michaels have been working with the BOH to pay both her and EAi Labs for the remaining four tests.
- Old business.
a. Corregatta 2023 review: Two cardboard boats (by committee members Carman and Ellis) and two pedal boats raced. No boats were paddled by kids, so there was one prize left. Donations of $60.15 were collected from the large crowd of 70. Suggestions included: simplify construction rules, advertise more (especially at schools), and adding an SUP or kayak race.
b. Ellis submitted an October Newsletter article summarizing the Corregatta and wrapping up the season.
c. Bellemare reviewed beach grooming for the season noting a busy beach, less geese, and thanking Carman and Ellis for their frequent help. Heavy rains have created much sand erosion this year, and this will have to be remedied in the spring with new pole barriers and lots of sand.
d. Michaels reported no action on the large pine removal.
e. Bellemare has stain for the picnic tables, ready when the weather is drier for such work.
f. Haskell reported MPBC files are archived.
g. Michaels reported her email exchange with Karin Shepardson, now owner of the dam. At this time the family is not willing to sell it or deed it to the Town. They are not averse to adding a barrier or danger sign. Carman said there would be upkeep with a barrier. Shepardson is looking into signage options.
h. Michaels reported that she has made no progress in putting Beach Committee information on the new town website. She was stood up at a scheduled virtual lesson on how to contribute to the new page. As with information on other committees, the old Town website is badly outdated.
i. Haskell had no new information about swamp lot#28 & suggested this item be removed from the agenda.
j. Bellemare reported about a recent meeting at the Wilson Road property, with Town expected to begin serious cleaning up after fall frosts. - New business.
a. Committee membership for 2024.
1. (Term ending 2023) : Haskell and Michaels did not re-enlist. Tuttle-Connelly re-enlisted (2026).
2. (Term ending 2024) : Carman, Connelly, and Farley will continue serving another year.
3. (Term ending 2025) : Barber, Bellemare, and Ellis will continue serving two more years.
b. Election of officers for 2024.
1. Chair: Diane Ellis and Mat Connelly will serve as Co-Chairs.
2. Secretary: Ann Carman
3. Treasurer: Kathy Tuttle-Connelly
4. Water Tester: Pat Bellemare
c. The Committee discussed recruiting two new members to serve three years (2026) beginning in 2024. Michaels and Connelly will contact those names suggested. Haskell and Michaels were thanked for their MPBC service of six years. Haskell proposed encouraging the Town to create a Parks and Preserves Department, due to the amount and diversity of acreage, the challenges of responsible stewardship, the benefits to residents and tourists, and the aging volunteer leadership on parks-related committees such as MPBC, Open Space, Forest, Conservation, Recreation, and School. An initiative could begin with scheduling an inter-committee meeting. Connelly raised objections to any such project for MPBC.
d. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm.
Respectfully submitted on September 20, 2023,
Jean Haskell, MPBC Secretary